The object of this article is to measure the recent evolution of the urban space in Belgium, to show the regional diversity of the process and to seek its main mechanisms. It is based on the cadastral on ... [more ▼]

The object of this article is to measure the recent evolution of the urban space in Belgium, to show the regional diversity of the process and to seek its main mechanisms. It is based on the cadastral on a communal scale. As one could reasonably expect, the Belgian urban space has progressed since 1980, yet at a slower rhythm than during the years 1959-1970. Housing is its main component with over a half of the entire land-use. What growth rate concerns, services (and especially offices) are in the second place while industry ranks to the third position. Regional contrasts generally sharpened. Considering that urbanisation reflects the regional or local dynamism very distinctly, higher values spread out not only in places of suburbanisation and rurbanisation, but also in the developing regions. [less ▲]